This Hermit Crab Is A Star

Fantastic Friday - NATURE'S TRAILS

April 18, 1997|By Don Wilson of The Sentinel Staff

The star-eyed hermit crab stands out in a crowd of its lackluster cousins. That's because of the jewel-like eyes that earned the 1 1/4 -inch long crab its name. This crab's eyes refract light in the same manner as the star sapphire, creating the illusion of star-like crosses.

The crab is colored an orange-red, with broad cream and orange-red bands on its legs. The crab is found on grass and mud flats from North Carolina to Florida, usually living in a snail shell.